Conservation Currents

In This Issue

Izaak Walton Wishes League Happy 90th Anniversary

Curt Leitz as Sir Izaak WaltonEver wonder what our namesake, Sir Izaak Walton, would think about the Izaak Walton League of America? We have the answer in a video that's part conservation message, part parody, and totally fun. Former Minnesota Division president Curt Leitz channels Sir Izaak Walton in a conversation about the League's 90th anniversary, Walton's "The Compleat Angler," and what Walton thinks of today's roadhouse beverages.

Visit the IWLA YouTube channel to spend a few minutes in the company of Sir Izaak Walton.

Back to top

Congress Faces Major Issues in Weeks Ahead

When Congress reconvenes on November 13, it will have a handful of weeks to address pressing national issues that will have wide-ranging impacts on conservation, taxes, and federal spending. One of the most pressing issues for the League is passage of a comprehensive, five-year Farm Bill.

Waterfowl at Chautauqua - Illinois RiverAlthough the Senate passed a relatively good bill in June, the House did not act before adjourning. If Congress fails to pass a Farm Bill this year, funding to conserve wetlands, grasslands, and important wildlife habitat could be cut more deeply and it will become even more challenging to reform the costly federal crop insurance system. The League and other national hunting, angling, and sustainable agriculture groups continue to press Congress to approve a Farm Bill this year. Other unfinished business includes addressing the so-called "fiscal cliff," which could include debilitating cuts to conservation, public land management, and environmental protection.

The 64,000 dollar question is: Will Congress tackle any of these and other pressing issues in the weeks ahead? There is considerable uncertainty about the answer. Nevertheless, League members need to be prepared to engage quickly as events develop. Decisions made this year will affect conservation and outdoor recreation for years to come. Responding to action alerts, contacting your members of Congress, and engaging your neighbors will make a difference. Please stay tuned for alerts and updates from the League and then take action.

Back to top

Send Clean Water Petition to President

Dipper with food - WYDespite improvements in water quality since Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, a whopping 53 percent of our streams and rivers still do not meet basic water quality standards. What's standing in the way of clean water? Two Supreme Court decisions and policies by the last administration that ignore sound science in deciding which waters are protected by the Clean Water Act. These actions dramatically weakened protections for streams that supply drinking water to more than 117 million Americans and millions of acres of wetlands that guard our communities against flooding.

Now is the time to let President Obama know that the health of our streams and rivers is important to all Americans. We need his leadership to get science-based clean water policies across the finish line. Sign our clean water petition right now and urge the President to give EPA and the Corps of Engineers the green light to implement policies that will keep our nation's waters clean and healthy.

Back to top

American Waterworks Act Fails To Fix Inland Waterway Infrastructure

Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam - Minneapolis, MNIn late October, Senator Lamar Alexander (TN) announced his intentions to introduce a bill to "fix" the funding shortfall for inland waterway infrastructure. Senator Alexander has not introduced language of the bill yet, but his press release outlined key points to which the League is opposed. His proposal would

  • Shift an additional $270 million in project costs to taxpayers (and away from industry),which would severely limit funds available for other inland lock construction and rehabilitation projects and bring the taxpayers' bill for the project up to $1.7 billion
  • Change the construction permitting process to allow states to push through projects without proper agency review – primarily by the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – which could lead to approval of damaging projects
  • Provide only a minimal increase in the fuel tax that funds the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which will not do enough to clear the project backlog
  • Prioritize construction projects supported by the Inland Marine Transportation System Capitol Development Strategy Team – many of which are not endorsed by the Corps of Engineers

The American Waterworks Act is just another attempt by the navigation industry to push more infrastructure costs onto taxpayers, breaking the 50 percent cost-share promise established in 1986. Funding for inland waterway infrastructure should come from users, not the general treasury.

If the American Waterworks Act includes these provisions when introduced in Congress, it should be soundly rejected. We will keep you up to date as this legislation progresses and will need League members and supporters to voice their opposition to this legislation to ensure its defeat.

Back to top

Holiday Shopping for a Cause

Looking for a way to do good while filling holiday stockings the hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts on your shopping list? The Izaak Walton League and ProGuide Direct can help.

ProGuide Direct Web siteProGuide Direct is a one-stop-shop for outdoor gear, clothing, and guided trips. You can search for clothing, equipment, and other gear by outdoor activity: hunting (by type of game), fishing (by type of fishing), and camping/hiking. If you're a fan of "Meat Eater" Steve Rinella, you can also find a list of gear used on each episode of his show on The Sportsman Channel. Whether you need fly rods and waders or decoys and a day pack, ProGuide Direct has the high-quality gear for you.

Through our partnership with ProGuide Direct, League members and supporters can receive $50 off any purchase of $200 or more, plus free shipping! In addition, ProGuide Direct will make a donation to the League to support our conservation work across the country.

This offer expires December 31, 2012. So visit www.ProGuideDirect.com today to get started. Use code IWLA-F12 at checkout for your discount and free shipping.

Back to top

League Launches New Youth Programs Manual

Ikes across the country share a passion for connecting children with the outdoors; introducing them to hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting; and educating them about conservation. When we surveyed chapter leaders about resources that would be valuable for their work with youth, they asked for a comprehensive guide to youth activities and educational resources.

Youth Manual coverWe are pleased to announce our newest chapter resource: Engaging Youth In the Outdoors – A How-To Chapter Manual. It provides step-by-step instructions for conservation activities and tips for starting a local youth program. The manual comes in a three-ring binder with a CD-ROM containing PDFs of manual materials.

A print copy of the manual has been mailed to every IWLA chapter president. In addition, chapter youth programs coordinators (where identified) received the electronic files on a CD-ROM. If you would like additional copies of the CD-ROM to share with chapter leaders and volunteers, contact Tara Scibelli at tscibelli@iwla.org or (301) 548-0150 x255.

League staff are also available to provide training and other support to help chapters establish or expand their youth programs. For assistance, please contact Earl Hower (earlh@iwla.org) or Rebecca Wadler (rwadler@iwla.org).

Back to top

Shooting for 90th Anniversary Success

The Arlington-Fairfax (Virginia) Chapter hosted the League's 90th Anniversary Celebration Trap Shoot for the national capital region in late October. The event was a great opportunity to celebrate a League milestone – and win bragging rights!

90th anniversary shootShooters engaged in a heated competition for the winner's circle as Hurricane Sandy bore down on the area, bringing high winds that added to the competition's level of difficulty. Brian Hickerson shot a perfect 25 in one round to take first place with a score of 48 out of 50. (He was also part of an "all in the family" team that took first place in the team competition.) The top of the leaderboard was so close that we needed a tie breaker to determine the other winners. Mark Scott shot a perfect 25 out of 25 to win the tie breaker and clinch second place.

Thanks to everyone who came out to help us celebrate the League's anniversary!

First Place: Brian Hickerson, 48/50 (plus "25 Straight" recognition)
Second Place*: Mark Scott, 47/50 (plus "25 Straight" recognition)
Third Place*: Bob Nolan, 47/50
Fourth Place*: Alan Hemer, 46/50
Fifth Place*: Glen Hickerson, 46/50
*Final positions determined through a tie breaker.

Best Team: The Hickerson Family (Brian, Glen, Ben, and Alan), 175/200
Best Lady Shooter: Ashly Palles, 37/50
Best Youth Shooter: Mathew Bonatti, 36/50

Back to top

Tiny Ikes Explore Cold-Weather Wonders

T'Ikes - October Spooktacular classEncourage children to love the outdoors and they'll love it for life – and lead a healthier lifestyle. League staff are piloting an outdoor education program for children ages 2-5 to help them celebrate the wonders of nature, from wiggly worms to nocturnal animals. We're calling this program Tiny Ikes (or T'Ikes). Sessions will be held at the League's national headquarters in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Here's what we have in store for our T'Ikes in the coming month:

November 27, Sounds, Music, and Nature: Music is all around us in the natural world. T'Ikes will explore the sounds of nature and make music from objects found outdoors.

December 5, Animals in Winter: During the winter, food is limited for animals. T'Ikes will learn how animals adapt to cold temperatures and make a craft to give to the wild animals that live in their backyards.

December 14, Winter Investigations: It's cold outside, but nature is full of life. We'll grab our boots and mittens and head out on a nature exploration to observe how the trees and plants have changed, then make a winter craft.

For more information about scheduled events, visit www.iwla.org/tikes. For more information about conservation education for youth, contact Rebecca Wadler, IWLA Conservation Education Associate, at rwadler@iwla.org.

Back to top

Protect Outdoor America While You Work

Earthshare logo

Check CFC #10620 on your workplace giving form if you are a federal employee. Or look for EarthShare in your workplace giving campaign materials if you work for a private corporation or local government agency. It's one of the easiest ways to conserve outdoor America for the future generations!

For more information or to start a workplace campaign, contact develop@iwla.org.

Simplify the Holidays: Give the Gift of Conservation

Searching for the right holiday gift? Try making a gift of the outdoors!

Donations or Membership

Make a donation in honor of a family member or friend or give them a gift membership, which includes four information-packed issues of Outdoor America and our monthly Conservation Currents e-newsletter.

IWLA Marketplace

Check out the IWLA Store for lapel pins, tote bags, umbrellas, hats, and t-shirts that make great gifts for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life.

Shop Online

The League is a partner of iGive.com. Shop online at over 1,000 retailers and a percentage of each purchase you make through iGive.com goes to the League at no cost to you.

Resource of the Month:
Roadside Signs

IWLA roadside sign

The seal marks the spot! Whether it's to help new members find your chapter or to point out conservation project successes, a League-branded roadside sign helps members of your community recognize the League.

Order your roadside sign by completing this order form (PDF).

90 Years of Defending Outdoor America

Time is running out to commemorate the League's 90th anniversary. Donate $90 or more to the League, and you will receive our limited-edition Snapshots in Conservation anthology.

Snapshots in Conservation booklet

Your contribution will also support the League's national conservation work. Please visit the League Web site for more information.

Take Action

IWLA Action Center logo
Click to take action
on League issues

Not a Member?

To join the Izaak Walton League, click here.

Charity Watch A- logo

We are proud of our rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Follow the Izaak Walton League on

Facebook logo

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this newsletter or other IWLA programs, please contact:

Dawn Merritt
Communications Director
707 Conservation Lane
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
(301) 548-0150 ext. 220
dmerritt@iwla.org

Founded in 1922, the
Izaak Walton League of America protects America's outdoors through community-based conservation, education, and the promotion of outdoor recreation.



PHOTO CREDITS:

Corbis-Fotosearch (1), Izaak Walton League of America (6), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1), U.S. Forest Service (1), ProGuide Direct (1), Chris Young (1)


© 2012 The Izaak Walton League of America. All rights reserved. Visit us online at www.iwla.org. To unsubscribe from League electronic communications, log onto the League Web site to manage your subscription preferences or e-mail the League.
Privacy and Security Policy